Young Waikato dairy, sheep and beef rep looking long term

Brook Cushion has quiet confidence.

“For a livestock rep, the nature of the job is doing as we promise and as our clients expect, keeping our ducks in a row to make any deal as smooth as possible. Seeing the end results, whether buying or selling, knowing you have done your best for your client, and putting a smile on their face gives me a big buzz,” he says.

It requires confidence, particularly for someone still in his mid-20s. Brook has always been confident of making a career in agriculture. Growing up on a Matangi lifestyle block, his farming background comes through an uncle on a dairy farm and his grandfather owning a horse property.

After leaving school brief stints dairy farming and agricultural contracting led to landing his ideal job in PGG Wrightson’s Morrinsville rural supplies store. That was 2017: 12 months later he took on his current role, as Waikato dairy, sheep and beef rep.

As a young man in the business, Brook expects to see significant change as his career progresses.

“Our world is evolving, and for various reasons the job is becoming harder. I see clients struggling to attract staff. Not many my age are interested in farming, which gives more opportunity for those of us that are. However, we may see more farm jobs automated in the future,” he says.

Even though they officially fall under Brook’s job description, compared to many other regions, Waikato has few sheep. His biggest sheep client is Tahuna Golf Club, with a flock of 300.

“Plenty of the club’s members are clients, so I’m happy to assist them.

“Several Waikato farms also milk sheep now. While they meet their livestock needs internally, the sector is likely to grow, so I’m keeping a careful eye on it,” he says.

Genetics are another aspect of the business where change is happening.

“New genetic advances are coming through, breeding more efficient, productive cows, which is a strong positive. In the meantime bidr is changing the way we transact livestock, opening up more opportunities for farmers.

“As livestock reps, our role will be to help clients through these changes, and others in the future,” he says.

One thing he doesn’t see changing is the role of auction in rural business.

“Although online is great as an option, face to face in the saleyards is at the heart of what we do, and will continue to be the way livestock prices are set.

“I’d only been a livestock rep for a short time when the opportunity came up to have a crack at auctioneering. I was nervous as. Although it can be daunting, once you give it a go, you can only get better.

“At first I found auctioneering similar to public speaking, which I hated then, and still don’t like. However, keeping going as an auctioneer has made me more confident and I now enjoy the chance to conduct an auction. I have had good mentors and support from my colleagues, and I’ve picked plenty of useful advice. The more auctions you do, the better you go,” says Brook.

So much so that in November at the tenth annual Heartland Bank Young Auctioneers Competition, held in Canterbury, which gives the top auctioneers under the age of 30 the opportunity to showcase their skills, Brook finished second behind PGG Wrightson Manawatu-based colleague Ben Wright.

“It’s great to compete with the other young auctioneers and a good way to hone your own skills. It was my first year, and I was pleased to be runner up, though I am eligible for a few more years yet to see if I can do better in that contest,” he says.

Time will tell, though Brook Cushion is confident: both in what he offers and where he’s going.